Egg carton



Dec. 9, 1930. v COYLE 1,784,275

EGG CARTON Filed May 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fifi. 1

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EGG CARTON Filed May 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :uzzzzzzsuxm k z ik 95 LR jizz/ezzfor 52 f J0 /)7! A." (J yIe.

Patented Dec. 9, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH L. COYLE, or LONDON, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNOR T0 LEON ."BENOI'I', or cHIoAGo, rumors EGG- CARTON Application flled May 28, 1928. Serial No. 280,999.

This invention relates generally to a carton for eggs and like commodities, and more particularly to an article suspension means formed independently of the carton, adapted .for separable association therewith for the purpose of furnishing additional protection to the carton contents.

The present improvements are concerned with a unitary structure in theform of a separable attachment which provides within the carton a suspended support wherein eggs or other articles are adequately protected during shipment and handling. For this purpose, I have designed the present suspension support which may be made of cardboard or appropriate semi-flexible material having certain cuts therein whereby to provide yielding tongues against which the eggs and other contained articles are rested so as to derive support and protection. Such a supporting means which is of unitary character is insertible into operative position with little or no effort so as to enhance the usefulness of the container.

In the accompanying drawings is set forth certain approved embodiments of my invention in the manner following:

Figure 1 is a top plan view, with a portion of the cover broken away, of' an egg carton equipped with the present suspension means;

Fig. 2 is'an enlarged transverse section therethrough taken on line 22 of Fig.1;

. Fig. 3 is a plan or development of the blank forming the suspension means;

Fig. 4, which is a view similar to Fig. 2, shows a modified construction;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view thereof; and

Fig. 6 is a plan or development of the blank forming the suspension means shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The carton A herein illustrated is of conventional kind in thatit comprises a bottom 10 from which upstand end walls 11 and side walls 12, one of the latter having an extension forming a flap 14 which, when folded down, serves asa cover for the carton. In

order to protect individually a plurality of objects, such as eggs, which are receivable within the carton, I provide the separable accessory means now to be described.

A rectangular blank B of cardboard vor other semi-flexible material is folded upon itself lengthwise along a line 15 which extendscentrally, or nearly so, between its longer edges. The blank is adapted also to be bent along a line 16 which is parallel with the fold line 15 and relatively close thereto. Provision is also made for another bend along the line 17, but in a direction reverse to the bend 16. The bend line 17 is relatively close to one of the longer edges of the blank. Between the bend lines 16 and 17 are a plurality of parallel slits 18 having their outer ends connected by other slits 19, whereby to define a series of tongues 20 separated from each other by webs 21 which interconnect portions a and b of the blank lying beyond the bend'lines 16 and 17.

The description of the blank thus far has dealt only with that side thereof which lies to one side of the central fold line 15. The other side of the blank may be similarly formed, so that on opposite sides of the center fold the blank construction is duplicated. It is optional, however, to vary from this construction as suggested by the showing at the left hand side of Fig. 2 and the upper portion of Fig. 3. In the construction referred to the blank is adapted to be bent in a lengthwise direction along a line 16 corresponding to the line 16 on the opposite side of the center fold, and also to be bent reversely along another line 17 corresponding to the bend line 17 near the opposite edge of the blank. The bend line 17, however, is shown as somewhat closer to the proximate edge of the blank than is thebend line 17 in relation to the adjacent blank edge. Slits 18 and 19, the'same as those previously described, are also provided so as to define tongues 20 and webs 21, the latter of which may be recessed at 22 at opposite points intermediate their ends, as shown best in Fig. 3.

A blank answering to this description-when folded upon itself along the line 15 is adapted to be placed within a carton of the kind shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The dimensions of the blank are, by preference, such that it will fit into the carton between the ends and sides thereof so as to occupy the entire space therewithin. The blank'portions a and a extending between the fold line 15 and the bends 16 or16 are disposed in a substantially vertical direction so as to furnish double walls centrally of the carton length. The webs 21 which extend between the bend lines 16 and 17 may be disposed substantially horizontally, an adequate support therefor being afforded by the tongues 20 and the blank section I) which depends from the bend line 17 in the form of a vertical wall. The space between the webs 21 is such as to accommodate an egg or other desired commodity which, of necessity, is rested against the proximate tongue 20. The tendency of this tongue is to extend substantially straight from the bend line 16 toward the corner of the carton which is occupied by the lower edge of the blank section b, but, with the insertion of an egg in place, this tongue is required to flex outwardly in conformity with the contour of the egg so as to provide a suspended and, cushioned support therefor.

A very similar arrangement appears at the left hand side of Fig. 2 wherein the dispositionof the blank parts is almost the same. In this case, the blank section b has a lesser vertical height, so that the webs 21 connecting therewith extend obliquely between the bend lines 16' and 17. The disposition of the tongues whereon the eggs are suspended is the same as already described. It is possible to introduce the eggs with the small ends down or up, both arrangements being suggested in Fig. 2. In the case of the webs 21 having the recesses 22, lateral seats are provided which assist in holding the eggs in a prearranged position. v

In the construction shown in Figs. 4;, 5, and 6, I utilize a rectangular blank C having a fold line 30 extending centrally of its length. Between this center fold line and the longer edges of the blank are other fold lines 31 and 32 in parallelism therewith. Extending between the bend lines 31 and 32 are slits 33 and 34 providing between them tongues 0 and d which are severed along the lines 35. The slits 34.- are extended laterally at opposite ends, as shown. Between the tongues so provided are webs 36 which extend between blank sections 6 and f constituting vertically disposed walls when the blank is set up for use within a carton A. The webs may, as

shown, be connected to the blank sections (2 and f by gussets 37 which permit the webs to be turned through 90 degrees into a vertical plane when the blank is in operative condition.

A blank of the kind described is adapted for positioning within a carton A the same as has already been described. The blank is first folded upon itself along the center line 30 to provide vertically extending double walls which comprise the two sections e and the inner tongues d. The vertical height of such walls is approximately the full depth of the carton, so that the folded edge 30 supports the carton cover 14 when the latter is in closed position. The webs 36' are then bent out to horizontal position and a bend along the line 32 is made, so that the blank section f may be vertically disposed to present its edge against the carton bottom adjacent one of the longer walls thereof. The tongues. c are then folded over to provide a yielding outer support for an egg or other like'commodity. The webs 36 which are turned to a vertical plane act as separators for the eggs in the adjacent cells, and because of their tendency to return to a horizontal plane, they bear laterally on the eggs so as to resist loose movement thereof. The eggs are suspended oil of the carton bottom bythe tongues c in the manner best shown in Fig. 4.

I claim:

1. A carton in which is fitted a semiflexible blank folded upon itself to provide double walls extending lengthwise of the carton centrally thereof, the blank being slitted transversely for a portion of the dis tance between the fold and its longer edges, and having other slits connecting the transverse slits at their outer ends whereby to provide a series of alternating tongues and webs, the tongues providing an under support for articles which are placed between the webs, there being a portion of the blank between its opposite edges and the webs adapted to sustain the latter in a generally horizontal plane whereby to provide a lateral support for articles intermediately of their tops and bottoms.

2. A carton in which is fitted a semi flexible blank folded lengthwise upon itself and having slits transversely through its body to provide a series of alternating tongues and webs,'the latter providing a support wholly above the carton bottom and the former being yieldingly extended against the carton bot-tom within the spaces between the webs and adapted both to sustain the webs and to suspend articles which are placed between the webs.

3. A carton in which is loosely fitted a semiflexible blank folded upon itself to provide double walls extending lengthwise and centrally of the carton, the blank being slitted and bent to provide webs extending transversely of the carton at points wholly below the top and above the bottom thereof and being provided also with a section forming a vertical wall adjacent the longitudinal walls of the carton,there being tongues intervening between the webs and depending below the same to bear against the carton bottom for sustaining the -webs and providing a yielding support between the webs for articles which are rested on the tongues.

4. A carton in which is fitted a semi-flexible blank suitably slitted to provide spaced webs with intervening tongues, the webs having two sets of means by which they are sustained transversely of the carton wholly above the bottom and below the top thereof, one set of sustaining means being the tongues which are depended into the spaces below the webs to provide yielding supports for articles which are placed between the webs.

5. A carton in which is fitted a semi-flexible blank folded upon itself to provide a central ridge extending lengthwise of the carton and having reverse bends between which are spaced webs extending transversely within a narrow zone which is intermediate of the carton top and bottom, the webs being adapted to accommodate articles between them, there being tongues struck out from the blank and depending between the webs to points along the carton bottom against which they rest to provide support for the webs, the

tongues furnishing a yielding support for the articles which are retained between the webs of the blank.

6. A carton in which is fitted a semiflexible blank slitted to provide alternately tongues and webs extending transversely of the carton, the former being movable independently of the latter, the webs being provided with means by which they are sustained in a generally horizontal direction to define between them cells for the reception of individual objects, and the tongues being depended between the webs in the lower ortions of the cells whereby to provide yiel ing suspension supports for the objects at elevations above the carton bottom.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of April, 1928.

JOSEPH L. COYLE. 

